Student in blue shirt at Major/Minor Exploration Week speaks with UD staff and faculty

The University Studies’ Major/Minor Exploration Week was held at UD from Sept. 21-25 to assist undeclared students while also supporting students interested in adding minors or certificates to complement their academic portfolios.

A major/minor discovery

Article by Jamie Washington Photos by Evan Krape October 20, 2026

UD students find new academic possibilities through campus-wide exploration

The ground floor foyer of Alfred Lerner Hall was buzzing with conversation when Arnaud Chery walked in. He went from table to table, speaking with department representatives expressing his interests and asking questions.

“I’m interested in finances, but I don’t want to be a bookkeeper,” said Arnaud, a sophomore in the University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts Program. “I’m a co-owner of Simple Streetwear and I want to talk to people, so what should I major in?”

That’s the opportunity that University Studies’ Major/Minor Exploration Week in September offered students: room to explore, ask questions, change their minds and discover possibilities they never knew existed. Gathered around tables across campus, students learned more than the academic requirements needed to declare a major — they learned about career paths and opportunities that exist beyond a major’s name.

“Major/Minor Exploration Week is an excellent opportunity for departments to showcase their programs, engage with students and help them make informed decisions about their academic pathways,” said Adrian McCleary, the director of University Studies and Student Support Programs. “It was really exciting to see the level of engagement and connections being made throughout the week.”

Chery knew what he was interested in, but he needed help figuring out the right major to pursue those interests.

“I walked in wanting to major in finance and minor in business analytics,” he said. “After stopping by the entrepreneurship table, I’m definitely switching my minor to entrepreneurship, because I learned that it is more nuanced than owning a business.”

Arnaud Chery learns about the academic requirements for finance majors.

Nationally, 20% to 50% of students begin college undeclared. Within three years of initial enrollment, about 30% of undergraduates with a declared major in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

At UD, students enter directly into their major, which sets the University apart from other institutions.

“The University’s breadth requirements provide the foundational experience for students to understand what they do and don’t enjoy,” said Noel Wolhar, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ (CANR) associate director of recruitment. “UST does a good job with helping students refine and define their career goals, encouraging them to explore a variety of interests and helping them recognize that many courses are designed to count towards their degree, so they’re not losing time by exploring.”

Wolhar hosted “Get the Scope on CANR Majors” tabling event at the UDairy Creamery on Main Street. After a brief preview of CANR’s 13 bachelor of science degrees and 11 minors, and answering questions, students were given a UDairy coupon for a complimentary sweet treat.

In the main corridor of Alison Hall West, Nora Maguire, an undeclared sophomore, received on-the-spot academic advising to determine the options available to her within the College of Education and Human Development.

“I’ve been able to explore different departments while completing my breadth requirements.” Maguire said. “In my first year, I really enjoyed my education and human development course, and now I’m considering one of their majors.”

Maguire feels an internal pressure to choose her major, but she isn’t rushing her process.

“Even though most of my friends have declared their major, we’re all still trying to figure something out,” she said. “That’s the point of college though — self-discovery and trying to make the most of our academic experience. It’s better to spend time figuring out what you want to do than to pick something quickly that you don’t actually enjoy.”

Leah Stein, a first-year student majoring in sports management, is considering adding a minor, so she planned to stop by a couple of the departments to see what they have to offer.

“I tell my parents all the time about the opportunities that UD has to offer,” she said. “I’m given a lot of information and resources, I just have to take advantage of it.”

Leah Stein took a break with friends between classes to stop by Lerner’s tables.

More about University Studies

Along with assisting students who are exploring their interests before choosing a major or transitioning from one major to another, UST provides individualized advisement about academic planning, the option of drop-in appointments, workshops and other resources for students throughout the academic year.

In the past year, UST advisers have supported more than 1,080 students who entered UD undeclared, changed majors or transitioned between majors during the fall and spring. This included more than 2,500 appointments, both scheduled and drop-in, along with individualized advising about academic planning, the option of drop-in appointments, workshops and other resources for students throughout the academic year.